1) Mayor Ted Wheeler to visit OKNA General Meeting (March 21)

The Overlook Neighborhood Association is excited to announce that Mayor Ted Wheeler will attend our general meeting this month. Check in next week for more details, but for now mark your calendar for the March 21, 6:30 p.m. meeting at Kaiser Town Hall.

Portland’s first traffic-calming Placemaking Project is at the intersection of N Concord Avenue and N Overlook Boulevard, next to the big painted intersection. Come re-plant and refresh the groundbreaking planter project with sedums and other eco-roof plants that are low-care, low-water, high-heat-tolerant, low-profile and pollinator friendly.

Kids are welcome to come learn and participate!

We’ll make wattle fencing, taste honey and visit a bee hive. We’ll also tour the established, 6-year old food producing permaculture site next to the planters and have fun getting dirty: sheet mulching, installing barriers for cane berries, hugelkultur terrace construction, and more digging and planting.

Opportunities to dig and take home some plants (until they run out), including Shasta daisies, blue Japanese iris, white iris, black currants, red currants, blackberries (shuksan), raspberries and rhubarb. Bring a shovel and carry home container to dig your own.

Dress for weather (sunscreen and hat if the sun comes out), and bring your gloves and hand tools if you have them (some available), and a water bottle. Snacks will be provided.

3) Register for free emergency preparedness training

Overlook’s Neighborhood Emergency Team (NET) is one of the most active in the city. Its members train and prepare to help when an emergency strikes. When a major earthquake hits Portland, they will have the skills to save lives.

The city’s NET program has an upcoming training class for Portlanders. You’ll receive free training in the core skills needed to respond safely and effectively in a major disaster. You’ll meet neighbors, emergency response professionals and community leaders concerned about emergency preparation. And you’ll be eligible for advanced classes and exercises.

The class requires about 30 hours over a few Saturdays. The next training kicks off on April 29.

4) 2017 Emergency Preparedness Summit

There was a fantastic turnout at the recent Preparedness Summit at Beach School. Overlook neighbors and visitors came together to Prepare Out Loud with The American Red Cross’ Steven Eberlein.

The afternoon was filled with tabling from organizations including Multnomah County’s Amateur Radio Emergency Service, Dove Lewis, PHLUSH (Public Hygiene Lets Us Stay Human), City Club of Portland and Portland State University’s Center for Public Service.

Big thanks to Kenny & Zukes for a ton of donated bagels and shmears, Blend Coffee on N Killingsworth for donating coffee for the day, and Atomic Pizza for providing a delicious pizza lunch. Also many thanks go out to the Schools Uniting Neighborhoods (SUN) program operating out of Beach School, led by Cinda Jackson, who helped organizers secure the venue once again this year.

Click on the photo below to see more pictures from the event.

5) Organic Brewfest canceled

In a recent update we announced that the Organic Brewfest would return to Overlook Park again this year. The organizers now report that they have canceled the event. The plan to take this year off and reassess whether it remains viable next year.

6) Columbia Slough 101 (March 18)

Ever wonder about the slow-moving water running through Northeast and North Portland? The Slough 101 workshop will explore the unique character, challenges and opportunities of the Columbia Slough. You’ll learn about water quality, wetland restoration, how the Slough has changed over time, and what various efforts by the Columbia Slough Watershed Council, Environmental Services, and many partners mean for wildlife, people and businesses.

Slough 101 is a free, hands-on workshop open to everyone interested in learning more about the Columbia Slough and its watershed. The workshop is hosted at the beautiful offices of the McKinstry firm, which overlooks Environmental Services’ Mason Flats Wetland Enhancement Project.

Slough 101 hands-on activities will allow attendees to:

Study Slough macroinvertebrates (water bugs) and learn about water quality

Simulate and predict aquifer conditions with an interactive groundwater model

Discover a beautiful hidden part of this unique waterway on a walking tour